This blog combines the best elements of Mel Phillips Now And Then & Mel Phillips Remembers with the focus on Now and a look back at your favorite memories...

Friday, July 23, 2010

Smartphones And "The "Cloud" Take On Sirius XM...

(Weekend Edition)

SiriusBuzz, the Sirius XM blog says the satellite company should be aware that Google may be ready to offer up a "cloud" based music service which would have an impact on any music service globally. "The issue of cloud computing is something Sirius Buzz has been talking about both here and on our Satellite Radio News radio show. The important thing with cloud networks is that it makes music and video files for services available from anywhere. This gives consumers more options on using and accessing their content on virtually any device capable of accessing the internet, and storage capacity is not an issue." Sirius Buzz notes that in addition to Google, existing services like Pandora and Slacker "come in at less expensive price points than Sirius XM. Initially the battle will seem to be between Apple and Google but satellite radio investors and fans alike need to watch these issues play out over the coming months." Sirius stock at the moment is at 95 cents...

Another concern for Sirius XM has to be smartphones. The amount of customized radio-type listening services is almost limitless on iPhone or Android (Google). If you want more than Pandora, you can download the Stitcher app for Android or iPhone and you have Fox Radio, CNN and more, and podcasts are available at any time. Even though Sirius has apps for its satellite radio service on popular smartphone platforms will subscribers continue to pay for it with so many other options???

If you're Sirius XM you sell your exclusive brands. No other radio service has Opie & Anthony, Howard Stern, Bob Dylan, Martha Stewart, Oprah and MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, Indy. Recently Sirius XM added weather and traffic. And while internet radio and smartphone service is becoming accessible in cars, satellite is increasing it's reach. If you're already hooked on Sirius XM while driving over the years, the only reason to switch is cost and that's what it will come down to - paying and remaining loyal to satellite or get as close as you can without paying for it...

10 Timeline Memories:

1.1886] Brodie does it: Saloonkeeper/Bookmaker Steve Brodiemust have been sampling the schnapps. Brodie jumps from the Brooklyn Bridge and survives (7/23)... 2.1904] One scoop or two?: The ice cream cone is invented by Ernest Hamwi during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis (7/23)...3.1956] Tragedy at sea: The Stockholm collides with the Andrea Doria off the coast of Nantucket. Survivors number 1,660 but 51, including the crew, goes down with the ship (7/25). The Andrea Doria lies in 200 feet of water, 45 miles south of Nantucket. Divers continue to brave the depth and sharks in order to salvage valuables that still remain...4.1965] Curtains: At the age of 75 and nursing a broken hip, Casey Stengelcalls it quits as manager of the New York Mets (7/24)...1978] A tearful Billy Martingives his famous "One is a born liar, the other a convict" speech. The liar was Reggie Jackson, the convict - George Steinbrenner. With that statement made, Billy Martin "retired" as Yankee manager (7/24)...5.1969] Splashdown: The Apollo 11 astronauts (Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins) splash down safely in the Pacific Ocean after their historic walk on the moon (7/24)...6.1978] Tubular belle: Louise Joy Brown, the first test-tube baby is born. Louise is a happily married postal employee with a 4-year old son, born naturally. Louise will be celebrating her 32nd birthday (7/25)...7.1983] The Pine Tar game: A George Bretthome run is taken away from him for using too much pine tar on his bat. The score reverts back to 4-3 Yankees (7/24). Mel and Rob Phillips see Brett go berserk at Yankee Stadium. AL President Lee MacPhail overrules the umpires and the home run counts. The game is resumed on August 18th with KC winning the game 5-4 after the Yankees fail to score in the 9th inning...8.1990] Rosanne Boo: Rosanne Barr gets booed in San Diego for her disgraceful singing of the "Star Spangled Banner". Following her mangling of the song, she grabs her crotch and spits on the ground (7/25)...9.1997] Lost and found: Police find the body of Andrew Cunanan, the suspected killer of designer Gianni Versace, on a houseboat in Miami Beach. Cunanan was believed to be a suicide (7/23)...10.2007] The Price was right: Drew Careyis announced as the replacement for the retiring Bob Barker as host of "The Price Is Right" (7/23)...

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About Me

Mel Phillips Now & Then is more Now. The Then always follows the Now. Prior to starting 'Remembers' in 2005 and 'Now & Then' on April 7, 2008 I enjoyed a multi-media career which included being one of the Bill Drake program directors. I was involved in the programming of such legendary stations as WOR-FM, WXLO-FM, WNBC, WRKO AM & FM and KQV. I was also General Manager of Hooper Radio, played disc jockey in markets such as Tampa, Nashville, Norfolk and Atlantic City and enjoyed marketing success in syndicated radio for several companies including ABC, MJI and United Stations. My background also includes the music business where I promoted such diverse CBS acts as The Clash, Gloria Estefan, Loverboy, Judas Priest, George Michael & Julio Iglesias. In Special Programming at WCBS-FM I wrote and produced numerous specials and interviewed some of the biggest recording stars. In addition to this post I'm a regular contributor to Radio Daily News. My wife Diane and I reside on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and I'm very proud of my children, Robert Phillips, Lynn Phillips Brough and granddaughters Allyson and Amy...